Curtain stretcher



Patented Jan. 14, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Claims.

This invention relates to drying frames, such as curtain stretchers, and aims to provide a frame which is variable in area over a wide range. Such frames are usually square or rectangular in outline, and provision is usually made for varying the enclosed area within a very limited range. Not only does the present invention provide variation of the area over the maximum possible range of the frame, but it presents other and additional improvements over `the usual curtain stretchers which substantially enhance the eflcacy and utility of the device.

The above and other objects will become apparent in the description below, in which characters of reference refer to like-named parts in the accompanying drawing.

Referring briefly to the drawing, l

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the frame.

Figure 2 is a partial side elevational view and a partial cross-sectional view taken on the line 2-2 kof Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the frame.

-Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 4 4 of' Figure l.

Referring in detail-to the drawing, the numerals Ill and II indicate the opposite side members of the frame, and the numerals I2l and I3 the top and bottom members, respectively. The vertical members I0 and II have each a longitudinal slot I4 extending throughout the entire length thereof with the exception of a small distance at each end of each slot. likewise, the horizontal members I2 and I3 have identical slots I5.

Along their mutually opposed inner edges, the members I0 and I I are provided with rows of equidistant pins I6, after the usual manner of the side members of such frames. The four members comprising the frame are releasably joined at each of the four intersections or corners by a standard screw and wing nut unit indicated by the numeral II.

A plurality of identical members I8 are mounted end-to-end on the top surface of each horizontal l frame member I2 and I3. Each member I8 is primarily a hinge having one leaf I9 secured by means of screws or the like to the said surface, the other hinge leaf 2I comprising one arm of a channel-shaped member or block 22 which' is U-shaped in cross-section. The hinge leaves I9 and 2| are joined by the hinge pin 23. The block 22 may be swung from an extreme upper to an extreme lower position; in the former, the leaf 2| rests upon the leaf I9 with the open portion of the block 22 facing forward, as shown in Figure l on the ends (which extend beyond the vertical (Cl. l5-24) members) of the horizontal frame members I2 and I3; and in the latter, the block 22 has been swung forward through an arc of 180 degrees so that the outer surface of the central web of the block 22 faces forward with its extremity 24 rest- 5 ing against the front face of the horizontal meml l ber. Each block 22 has a pin 25, identical to the pins I6, projecting from the outer surface thereof. The width of the block portion 2| which provides the movable hinge leaf, as above mentioned, is such that when the block 22 is in its lower position, Figure 4, the front face of the block is flush with the front faces of the vertical members ID and II, so that the pins 25 of all the blocks 22 which have been swung down arev thenin the same plane as all of the pins I6 of the vertical members. Thus, when a curtain is secured to the pins I6 and 25 for stretching and drying, there is no tendency for the curtain to pull off of the pins on the horizontal members near the intersections thereof withthe vertical members. The latter is 20 a common fault of the ordinary stretcher in which the pins on the horizontal members are set back from the pins onvthe vertical members.

In use, the size of square or rectangle desired, depending upon the dimensions of the curtain to 5 be dried, is rst ascertained, and then the required number ofblocks 22 on each end of each horizontal member are swung into their uppermost positions. The wing screws I1 are loosened and. the frame members are brought together to the desired positions, and the screws are then tightened. All of the blocks between the vertical frame members are then swung down to their lowermost positions, which they maintain byv gravity. The frame is then ready to have the curtain pinned thereto. Those blocks which remain in their uppermost position have ltheir pins 25 pointing rearward, so that they provide no interference at the front of the frame. If desired, instead of providing a separate hinge pin 23 for each member I8, a single elongated pin may be provided on which all of the hinges may be mounted in alignment. Likewise, if desired, solid wood blocks mightbe substituted for the channelshaped blocks 22.

Obviously, modifications in form and structure may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A curtain stretcher or the like comprising a frame formed of side members and top and bottom members intersecting said side members, each of said members having longitudinal slots running substantially the length of the member, releasable means for locking said members together at the intersections thereof through said slots, each of said top and bottom members having a plurality of mutually identical blocks hingedly mounted on the top surfaces thereof, said blocks normally resting on said top surfaces and being adapted to be swung forward and downward selectively through an arc of 180 degress, said blocks in said latter position resting against the front surfaces of said top and bottom members, the front faces of said blocks in said latter position having pins projecting forward therefrom, said side members having pins projecting from the front faces thereof.

2. A curtain stretcher or the like comprising a.

frame formed of side members and top and bottom members intersecting said side members, each of said members having longitudinal slots running substantially the length of the member, releasable means for locking said members together at the intersections thereof through said slots, each of said top and bottom members having a plurality of mutually identical blocks hingedly mounted on the top surfaces thereof, said blocks normally resting on said top surfaces and being adapted to be swung forward and downward selectively through an arc of 180 degrees, said blocks in said latter position resting against the front surfaces of said top and bottom members, the front faces of said blocks in said latter position having pins projecting forward therefrom, said side members having pins projecting from the front faces thereof, the thickness of said blocks being substantially equal to the thickness of said side members so that when said blocks are in said latter position said pins on said blocks lie in the same plane as said pins on said side members.

3. A curtain stretcher or the like comprising a frame formed of side members and top and bottom members intersecting said side members, each of said members having longitudinal slots running substantially the length of the member, releasable means for locking said members together at the intersections thereof through said slots, each of said top and bottom members having a plurality of mutually identical blocks hingedly mounted on the top surfaces thereofsaid blocks normally resting on said top surfaces and being adapted to be swung forward and downward selectively through an arc of 180 degrees, said blocks in said latter position resting against the front surfaces of said top and bottom members, the front faces of said blocks in said latter position having pins projecting forward therefrom, said side members hav-ing pins projecting from the front faces therea hinge leaf, a second hinge leaf secured on thel top surface one of said top and bottom members, said hinge leaves having a hinge pin joining the same, the central web of said channel-shaped member forming said front face of said block, the other side of said channel-shaped member resting in contact with the front face of said one of said top and bottom members when said blocks are in said latter position.

4. A curtain stretcher or the like comprising side members and top and bottom members intersecting said side members, each of said members having a longitudinal slot extending through substantially the entire length thereof, releasable means for locking said members together at the intersections thereof through said slots, said side members having a plurality of equidistant pins projecting from the front faces thereof, a plurality of blocks having each a pin projecting therefrom, said blocks being hingedly mounted on the top forward edges of said top and bottom members and adapted to rest normally on the top surfaces of said top and bottom members with the pins thereon projecting rearward, said blocks being adapted to swing forward and downward through an angle of 180 degrees to rest against the front faces of `said top and bottom members with the pins thereon projecting forward.

5 A curtain stretcher orthe like comprising side members and top and bottom members intersecting said side members, each of said members having a longitudinal slot extending through substantially the entire length thereof, releasable means for locking said members together at the intersections thereof through said slots, said side members having a plurality of equidistant pins projecting from .the front faces thereof, a plurality of blocks having each a pin projecting therefrom, said blocks being hingedly mounted on the top forward edges of said top and bottom members and adapted to rest normally on the top surfaces of said top and bottom members with the pins `thereon projecting rearward, said blocks being adapted to swing forward and .downward through an angle of 180 degrees to rest `against the front faces of said top and bottom members with the ypins thereon projecting forward, the thickness of each of said blocks being equal to the thickness of ,said side members so that said pins on said blocks in said latter position lie `in the same vplane as said pins on said side'members.

FRANK SCHMITZ, 

